Hello there! How are you guys? If you are reading this, thank you so much for your patience. No, I haven't given up on this story. It did take me a long time to update, I know, but I think it was for the better (because I wasn't exactly in the mood to write fluff about Finchel, so they would have probably ended up fighting or something…). Thanks to Pam for her thorough beta reading. And I'll shut up now. Enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: Glee and the characters here belong to RIB (whether we like it or not). I just borrowed them to fill the void in my Finchel heart.
– BERRY! Wake up! There's someone on the phone for ya!
– Santana! You told me she was awake!
– Yeah, whatever. MIDGET!
– Ugh, I should've called Kurt.
– You should have.
– Uhhh – Rachel groaned from her bed and threw a pillow at her friend, her bad aim knocking over a lamp on her desk instead.
– What was that?
– Berry's terrible aim. Now c'mon, Rachel, Lurch here wants to know how ashamed you are.
– What? – She mumbled.
– Oh, don't you remember? – she asked as she (surprisingly) covered the phone's mic so Finn wouldn't listen – you drunk dialed your ex-fiancée last night – she tossed the phone on her bed before sitting on a nearby chair – Have fun!
Rachel groaned but took the phone anyways. She cleared her throat before speaking.
– Finn?
– Hey, you okay?
– Depends on what I said when I called you.
Finn chuckled. – You'll be okay.
She groaned again. – Oh God, what did I say?
He chuckled again. – Nothing too bad, really, Rach.
– Not as bad as junior year's "alcohol awareness week"?
She heard Santana laugh out loud as she painted her nails.
– Well, you did call me "Finny"…
– God, I'm sorry, Finn.
– It's okay Rach, really. I called to see how you were, not for you to apologize.
– Well I do feel ashamed and like my head's going to explode but, hey, I couldn't get lower than this, right?
– That's 'cause you don't remember last night, princess – Santana added.
– Wow, thanks Santana. I'm so honored I'm your friend.
– Good, you should be.
Rachel rolled her eyes and decided to ignore Santana.
– Thanks for calling, Finn.
– Not a problem. Just… drink a lot of water, it'll help.
– Oh, someone has experience with hangovers?
– Maybe a little. – he admitted – And sharing a room with Puckerman helps, too.
– True that – she laughed.
– Okay, um, talk to you later?
– Sure. Bye Finn.
– Bye, Rach.
Rachel hung up and stared at the phone, but before long, Santana brought her out of her reverie.
– Awww, look at you, all blushing and smiley after Pansy Ass. You could say you've almost forgotten about your little hangover, huh? Love is so magical! – The Latina exclaimed, mocking Rachel.
Her reply came in the form of a "SHUT UP!" and a pillow flying straight at her face.
– Hello! Has it started? – Santana exclaimed excitedly as she entered the apartment and ran to the couch where her friends were gathered with snacks and a laptop in front of them.
– Hola! – Rachel replied – Apúrate, it's about to start!
– Tu español es horrible.
– What?
– Exactly.
Kurt stifled a laugh and decided to change the subject before the girls started fighting.
– Okay, c'mon, Tanna. Have a snack; it's about to start.
Kurt gestured for Santana to sit, ending up in-between the two girls. He hoped that avoided their usual arguments instead of just getting himself in the middle of them…
The New York trio was about to watch the New Directions' Nationals performance. None of them had been able to attend it personally, since it was in Los Angeles this year, but Mercedes was there and had set a camera up so they could watch it live. The three of them were very excited for their friends, but none more than Rachel. She knew that Finn had chosen the songs and the singers, with her and Mr. Schue's guidance, but he had made the biggest choices. She was so proud of him, it seemed like he had finally found what he wanted to do with his life. She was hoping he could see that too.
Suddenly they saw Mercedes' face on their laptop.
– Hey guys! This is the New Directions, welcome to our green room! – Mercedes greeted them. – New Directions, say hi to our NYC crew! – the girl said as she turned the laptop so they could see the kids in the green room.
Some of the kids waved and said hi, and Kurt, Santana and Rachel could see the girls fixing each other's hair and dresses, and the guys fixing their ties (well, more like Mr. Schue and Blaine fixing everyone else's ties). Rachel's eyes were immediately fixed on Finn in the back of the room, though, pacing nervously as he quickly went through what seemed to be music sheets. So quickly, actually, that he could not possibly be reading anything from them. She could tell that Finn was nervous as he hadn't even noticed that Mercedes had turned the camera on.
– Aw, look how nervous Finn is – Kurt noticed also.
Rachel bit her lip and took her phone out of her pocket. Kurt quickly glanced at her hands when he felt her move but then ignored her. The girl opened the messaging app and quickly texted Finn.
Stop pacing like crazy, everything is amazing. –Rachel *
Then she watched Finn get the message. He took the phone out of his pocket and immediately smiled when, Rachel assumed, he saw the notification of her message. He thumbed through his phone and then quickly lifted his eyes, looking around, probably wondering how she knew what he was doing. Rachel couldn't hide her giggles. Then her own phone buzzed with a message. Kurt raised an eyebrow and softly elbowed Santana.
Where are you? – Finn.
Mercedes' camera, silly! – Rachel *
Finn looked around again, this time spotting the laptop. He smiled and waved at it, rubbing the back of his neck; Rachel thought she could see his cheeks turning pink.
Oooh… I knew it was there though. And I'm not nervous. – Finn.
Rachel giggled as she typed her response.
I'm seeing you, Finn. Calm down, you weren't that nervous for our own Nationals! –Rachel*
Santana and Kurt looked at the exchange between their friends. The steps were simple. One would send a message and the other would see it, smile and write back.
That's because I could get out and sing. Now my job here is done, and I have to watch from outside. I feel old… :P Plus for our Nationals, you were here, so nothing could go wrong ;) – Finn.
Santana and Kurt watched as Rachel's smile grew impossibly wider on her face. Santana groaned.
– Ugh, what the hell is he texting you? I swear you two are gonna give me diabetes! Please tell me you are not sexting.
– Santana! Of course we're not! He's nervous and I'm trying to reassure him. Don't be dramatic.
– The pot calls the kettle black – Kurt muttered.
Rachel was about to protest but her attention was brought to the laptop again.
– Okay guys – they heard Finn clapping his hands and gathering everyone in a circle – here we are. Some of us for the first time, some for the second, and some for the third, like me. Except, this time, I don't get to go out with you and sing. And that's okay, I had my turn. Now no matter what happens out there, I just wanna say I'm so thankful that all of you trusted me and let me help you. You don't know how much it meant to me. We've worked hard and we'll give our best now, okay? LET'S SHOW THEM WHO THE NATIONAL CHAMPION IS! Go on, hands in the center – everyone extended their hands to the center of the circle and they all exclaimed in unison, as they lifted their hands in the air – AAAAAAAAAMAZING!
Then, Mercedes grabbed the laptop and took it with her to her seat in the audience.
The New York trio enjoyed the New Direction's number, made up of three upbeat and catchy original songs: a duet, performed by Marley and Jake, a solo sung by Tina, and a group number; all of them written by Marley, with Finn's help. They all stood up and clapped proudly at their friends' show, cheering and whistling as if they were among the audience too. No matter the results, they had been amazing.
They watched the other glee clubs' performances nervously. They were all good, of course, but Rachel felt New Directions had a good chance. No one else had sung original songs, and not many duets had been as powerful as Marley and Jake's. Since they had a mandatory duet, the odds were in their favor with the judges.
Finally, the New Directions and another two glee clubs were gathered on the stage again, as one of the judges stood in front of a mic with an envelope in his hands.
– First of all, congratulations to everyone. You all did a great job and made our decision a much harder one. It was a pleasure to witness all of your performances. Now, let's announce the winners! – the man said as he ripped the envelope open – In third place… from Lake Tahoe… Vicious Harmony! Congratulations! – applause was heard and an award was given, everyone's tension growing bigger – And now let's announce our winner. First place of this show choir national championship goes to… – Kurt, Rachel and (surprisingly) Santana were holding hands tightly, and they could see their friends on the stage doing the exact same thing. The judge paused for a few seconds, but to them it felt like hours… – McKinley High's New Directions! Congratulations!
Everyone in New York and LA cheered, screamed, applauded, and even shed a few tears. Finn was in the back, hugging Mr. Schue when Kitty and Marley grabbed his hands, Jake and Ryder pushing him too. Rachel saw him shake his head in denial, but his students clearly wanted him to take the award. Giving up, he walked to the judge, shook his hand and accepted the prize, taking it back over to the group.
Rachel had never been prouder of him. He hadn't just earned himself great school credits and another National Championship, but also the respect and love from his students, not just as a friend they could trust, but as a teacher and a mentor they could look up to.
After Mercedes and Kurt, Santana and Rachel said their goodbyes, Rachel went to take a shower. Santana and Kurt stayed in the living room, eating some snacks and chatting. Once Santana heard Rachel singing in the shower, she suddenly changed the subject.
– Okay, we gotta stop this.
– Yeah, you're right. We said we were giving up on junk food for real this time. – Kurt admitted, through a mouthful of popcorn.
– No, Kurt, not about junk food! Rachel and Finn! Didn't you see them? – Santana asked.
– Who didn't? They were beaming like fools. – Kurt answered as he kept eating from the bowl of snacks.
– Yeah but they're doing nothing! It's even more annoying than when they actually do stuff.
– You say that because you never slept in the room next to them… – Kurt mumbled.
– They never dated long distance, did they?
– No, not really. They broke up soon after we moved here, and Rachel already knew Brody was into her by that time. – Kurt explained – Then everything got even worse when we went back to Lima for the Grease musical, so it didn't take long for her to fill the void once we were back.
– God, I can't believe you actually trusted that dude. I mean, she was desperate, I get it. But you? How didn't you figure him out? – The Latina asked, annoyed.
– He was hot, okay? – Kurt admitted – Maybe we needed a lesbian to figure him out.
– You always need Auntie Tanna to figure stuff out. Like right now. When Rachel got drunk I told your brother he had to do something about it, but I haven't heard any news from him about it, so I'm gonna take this upon me. Wanna help? – Santana asked seriously.
Kurt decided it would be better if he supervised. Santana had a tendency for… extreme methods.
– What's the plan? – he asked.
– I'll talk to her, you talk to him, alright? We ask what's going on between them, and no matter what bullshit answer they give us, we try and make them date. Now. I'm tired of them being sad sacks.
– Okay, I'm in. – Kurt agreed as he fist-bumped the Latina – Operation Finchel begins.
– Hello? – Finn said as he picked up the phone. The celebration with the Glee club had ended and it was pretty late. He wasn't expecting his brother to call. Was everything alright?
– Okay, spill. What's going on?
Right. He wanted something. But what did he mean?
– I'm good, thanks, and you? Oh, and by the way, what the hell are you talking about?
– Don't play coy, Finn. I was sitting right next to her. She was smiling like a fool while texting you. – Kurt snapped.
– She was? – Finn beamed.
Kurt rolled his eyes. Typical Finn.
– Yes, she was. And you were too. Now, care to explain?
– I don't know, – Finn mumbled – we've been… better since she came here to help the glee club.
– How better?
– What do you mean, Kurt?
– Are you guys doing long distance?
– Oh, no, not that better… Because, well… no one's exactly admitted any feelings-
Kurt could not believe what he was hearing. Was this sophomore year all over again?
– Seriously, Finn? Am I really listening to you say this? It's been, what? Five years? You still need Rachel Berry to admit her feelings for you?
– It's different now, Kurt. – Finn sighed – She's about to start rehearsals for Funny Girl, and she'll want to focus on that. Maybe the time's just not right yet.
– And who knows when the right time is, Finn? Because as far as I know, after rehearsals, she'll start working. You are studying and working, she's studying too. People are busy, but that does not mean they can't have relationships.– Kurt was starting to get annoyed.
– So you're telling me that I should… date her? Like, long distance?
– I'm just telling you to think about it. I don't want either of you to get hurt, okay? – Kurt sounded concerned now.
– Yeah, me neither… I'm working on it, okay? I'll figure it out. – Finn said. He was trying to figure it out, he just needed some more time.
– I trust you will. Goodbye, Finn.
– Bye Kurt, and thanks.
– Santana, what are you doing!? – Rachel exclaimed as she saw Santana with her phone when she went into her room.
– Reading your texts? – the Latina answered, as if stating the obvious.
Rachel felt the anger building up in her. Didn't this girl have any limits?
– Why would you do that!? Give me my phone! – She said as she tried to get the device back.
– Just trying to figure out what's going on here. – Santana replied as she extended her arm up in the air so Rachel couldn't reach – It was either this or filling your brain with tequila so you'd talk. And I'm talking about the real deal: Mexican tequila, not the dirty water you can buy here.
– How did you even unlock it? – Rachel said, still struggling with her friend.
– Your pattern's a freaking star, Berry. You should thank me, I'm saving you a hangover. Ooh, here's what I was looking for! – Santana exclaimed as she got to the messaging app.
– Stop it. – Rachel said as she finally took her phone away from Santana – Just ask me, okay?
– Okay, then. The hell's going on with that pale whale of yours?
– I don't know who you are talking about. – Rachel replied coldly, crossing her arms over her chest. She hated when Santana used mean nicknames on Finn.
– Don't play fool. Hudson. What's going on this time?
– Nothing. – Santana tried to take Rachel's phone back, but Rachel dodged – Okay! Something! – she admitted, and Santana stopped – But I don't know what it is. We just said we'd go on with our lives when we were apart and see each other when we were in the same city.
Santana had to roll her eyes.
– That's almost as lame as your last "no labels" relationship, Rachel.
– Could you just not bring that up, Santana? It's all we can do, what else do you want? – she asked, annoyed.
– I never thought I would say this, dwarf, but dating. I want you dating him. You're even more annoying when you're depressed. And maybe you'd stop being so uptight, too.
Rachel decided that ignoring her friend's insults might actually take the conversation somewhere.
– You mean long distance?
– Yeah, what's the problem with it? – Santana shrugged – You guys never even tried that. You have skype, phones, facebook. Enough to talk to each other all day and annoy the shit out of us with your lovey- dovey romance. Plus, Finn's got a job and you got wealthy daddies that do whatever the hell you want. You could actually travel and see each other every now and then. It'd be more than you guys have anyway.
Santana's words got Rachel thinking. She hated to admit it, but her friend was actually right. They had never tried dating long distance. After all they'd been through, it was worth a shot right? Maybe they could take turns to travel and see each other every couple of weeks. It wasn't really a bad idea. She could see herself going to Lima or picking Finn up at the airport to spend a weekend together. Even if it demanded a bigger effort with school so she could get those free days. After all, even if they were in the same city they'd be pretty busy, so they wouldn't see each other that much. Maybe she should talk to Finn…
Santana saw her friend's expression going blank for a few minutes.
– Holy shit, you're not even trying to argue with me. You okay, Berry? – She snapped her fingers right in front of Rachel's face to bring her back to reality – Should I call 911 or something?
– Maybe you're right. – Rachel said, still staring at nothing, her eyes wide open.
– What? – Santana asked, confused.
– Oh please, I'm trying to be serious here, okay? – Rachel said – Maybe you're right, maybe we could try that. Thank you, Santana. – she beamed – I'm gonna hug you now, okay? It'll be quick.
Santana groaned but didn't move as Rachel hugged her.
– Just don't gross me out too much, okay?. – She said as Rachel left the room happily.
Finn groaned as the buzzing of his phone woke him up.
– Ugh. What does Kurt want now? – He mumbled as he sat up in his bed. His annoyed expression was replaced by a big smile when he opened the text he had gotten.
Can I call you? - Rachel *
He rubbed his eyes and cleared his throat as he called her.
– Hey! I hope it's not too early. – she said as she picked up her phone.
– Hey, Rach. No, don't worry it's - it's okay – he smiled. It was definitely a nice way to wake up.
– Oh, I woke you up, didn't I? – she lamented – I'm so sorry, Finn. – he could almost see her pout.
– No… I mean, yeah, but don't worry, it's a nice way to wake up. – Finn smiled.
– I just wanted to say congratulations, I - I supposed you'd be celebrating with the rest of the club yesterday so I didn't call… – Rachel said in a small voice. Why was she so nervous? This was Finn.
– Thank you. Well you really helped, you know? Coaching the kids and aiding with the songs and all. So thank you for that, too. – He had loved to have Rachel's help.
– I did, and you're always welcome, but you did all the work there, Finn. You found new members for the club, you got them back in the competition when you figured out what the Warblers were doing, you helped Marley write songs… And you earned everyone's trust and respect. I always knew you were better than you thought… I guess all this had to happen for you to see it for yourself… – Maybe things happened for a reason, Rachel thought.
Finn felt his cheeks going warmer.
– Well thanks – he replied, as he rubbed the back of his neck. Rachel had a way of making him feel like the most talented person on the planet. With her support, he fully believed he could take on anything.
– Um, Finn? – Rachel asked, taking him out of his reverie. She sounded worried.
– Yeah? Everything alright, Rach?
– Yes, I was- I was just wondering… I mean, remember how we said we could maybe see each other when we were in the same city and then just move on with our lives while we were apart?
– Yeah, is there a problem with that? Are you… are you dating someone?
Crap. He didn't want to be selfish, but honestly? He really didn't want her to date anyone that wasn't him… And she didn't want her to get hurt, either. Last time it hadn't ended very well… But why would she talk to him about this?
– No! I mean, no, I'm not dating anyone… yet. But I was hoping…-
Was she asking for permission or something?
– Rachel, you don't have to ask me anything. You should go on a date if you want to…
– Actually, I do have to… Finn would you like it if we started dating again? – She blurted out.
WHAT?
– Wha- I- I mean... you serious? – Finn stuttered.
– Um, yes but… It's okay, maybe I shouldn't have asked. I mean, if- if you don't like the idea we can- – Rachel rambled. Why did she even listen to Santana!?
– Rach, Rach, stop. I do like the idea. I was actually thinking of the same thing, but I thought you might not agree… – he trailed off, unsure of what to say.
Was she really considering this? Was he actually awake? He hoped he was, because he was already smiling from ear to ear.
– Oh. – she breathed, relief clear in her voice now – Well, we never actually tried long distance so there's nothing to lose, right?
– Right. – he smiled – I really wish I could kiss you now, you know?
– Me too… But, I was thinking… I mean, we can talk about it later but… I was thinking that maybe we could travel for the weekend every now and then. I could go to Lima, or you could come here…
– Yeah, definitely. I don't wanna spend too long without seeing you. Let alone now that we're dating. – Finn beamed.
– That sounds so good. – Rachel admitted.
– Definitely. I'm dating Rachel Berry. Sounds really awesome. Oh, I gotta go Rach, Mr Schue's calling me. I'm so sorry… Can we talk later? – Finn asked. Mr Schue had a really bad timing.
– Yeah, sure. Say hello to Mr. Schue for me. Bye, Finn! – Rachel said happily.
– Bye, Rach. – he sighed contentedly as he hung up.
After he talked to Mr Schue (about something pretty insignificant, by the way) he just layed in bed, his arms behind his head, and basically grinned at the ceiling. He could feel his heart fluttering in his chest and his head spinning. It had taken some time, and he knew it wouldn't always be easy from now on, but it felt like the universe was finally doing its thing. There was no doubt they were meant to be together.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Please review and let me know :)
xoxo